Is Battering Ram a good place to start with Saxon?

Yes, Battering Ram is recommended as a starting point for new Saxon listeners. Powerful riffs and thunderous drums drive this album, embodying classic heavy metal energy with a modern polish. Released in 2015, Battering Ram is Saxon's 21st studio album, following their previous effort, Sacrifice. At this stage, the band was experiencing a resurgence in popularity, bolstered by a series of successful albums and tours that revitalized their legacy in the heavy metal scene.

Who is Battering Ram for?

Battering Ram works well if you're into steady mid-tempo anthemic energy, empowering sing-along choruses and for driving intensity.

How many songs are on Battering Ram?

Battering Ram has 11 tracks, running approximately 50 minutes.

Released 11 years ago this October

Battering Ram

Saxon · 2015

50 min · 11 tracks · heavy metal

Powerful riffs and thunderous drums drive this album, embodying classic heavy metal energy with a modern polish.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Battering Ram Start here — The title track serves as a powerful anthem that captures the album's aggressive spirit through its driving rhythm and commanding lyrics about perseverance and strength.
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The Devil’s Footprint — This track showcases the band's signature lyrical storytelling, weaving themes of temptation and rebellion against a backdrop of haunting melodies and fierce guitar work.
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Stand Your Ground — With its motivational message and anthemic chorus, this song embodies resilience and defiance, resonating strongly with fans of traditional heavy metal values.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

60 /100

Treeline

Higher than 66% of albums we've rated

Battering Ram combines classic heavy metal elements with modern production, showcasing strong riffs and varied tempos.

What we noticed

The first track opens with a powerful guitar riff that sets a high-energy tone, which is maintained through the first half of the album.
Several tracks feature dual guitar harmonies, particularly in the choruses, creating a rich and layered sound.
The album includes tempo shifts, with tracks like 'Eye of the Storm' slowing down for a more introspective feel before returning to heavier rhythms.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady mid-tempo anthemic energy
empowering sing-along choruses
for driving intensity
invigorating pre-party build-up

Maybe skip if you

prefer slow, reflective music
seek standalone hit singles

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Late Career Highlight — Shows Saxon's resurgence in popularity and strong sound in later career.
Themes: heavy metal resilience· temptation and rebellion
Career context: Released in 2015, Battering Ram is Saxon's 21st studio album, following their previous effort, Sacrifice. At this stage, the band was experiencing a resurgence in popularity, bolstered by a series of successful albums and tours that revitalized their legacy in the heavy metal scene.
Stylistic neighbors: Judas Priest· Iron Maiden· Accept